Poetry / Spoken Word
The battle-rapping, happy-crying, self-bio-writing unashamed human brings his signature playfulness, poignancy and quick-fire rhymes to a brand new show celebrating the wonder that is being alive.
| Event Date | Fri 21 Feb 7:00pm |
| Individual Price | £12.00 |
| Location | The Alexander Centre |
| Categories | 2025, Fri 21 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Local poets perform a selection from their most recent publications. Click on the 'Details' box to see the full line-up and reserve a place. Includes an Open Mic slot, 6.30–8.30pm.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 3:30pm |
| Individual Price | Free |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 22 Feb, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Maggie Brookes-Butt will be launching Wish: New and Selected Poems. Plus readings by Nancy Charley, Fiona Sinclair and Melinda Walker.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 3:30pm |
| Individual Price | Free event |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Readings from widely published poets Christopher Horton, Mat Riches and Matthew Stewart.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 4:30pm |
| Individual Price | Free event |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Poetry readings with Michael Bartholomew-Biggs, poetry editor of the online magazine London Grip; Maggie Harris, whose new collection is I Sing to the Greenhearts (Feb 2025); and Rosie Johnston, who has a new collection, Safe Ground, forthcoming in 2025.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 5:30pm |
| Individual Price | Free event |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Local poet Jane O'Brien hosts an Open Mic fundraiser event for selected charities. See details for how to take part.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 6:30pm |
| Individual Price | Free event |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
An exhibition by a poetry group at Faversham’s Abbey Physic Community Garden – in support of mental well-being, promoting confidence and an interest in poetry as a cathartic medium – is on display at the Tourist Information Centre from Monday 17 Feb to Tuesday 2 March.
As part of the exhibition there is an OPEN MIC on Tuesday 25 February only, 12noon–2pm, at Faversham Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. All welcome – just turn up with your poem on the day.
| Event Date | Tue 25 Feb 12:00pm |
| Individual Price | Free event |
| Categories | Free Events, Tue 25 Feb, Local Authors, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Britain’s treasured poet Pam Ayres has been making the nation laugh for 50 years. She rose to fame after winning Opportunity Knocks in 1975 and is still one of the country’s favourite performance poets. Pam will be in Faversham performing from her new collection, Doggedly Onward: A Life in Poems. Not to be missed!
For tickets click the 'Details' button to see options & prices.
| Event Date | Tue 25 Feb 4:00pm |
| Individual Price | Various Prices |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Tue 25 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
One of Britain’s best loved writers and performance poets for children and adults, Michael Rosen returns to Faversham to perform some of his favourite poems and share with readers a barrage of fun and wisdom from his new collections... get ready for some of the weirdest poems of all time! Age 7+
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Accompanying adults need to purchase a ticket for this event.
| Event Date | Wed 26 Feb 5:30pm |
| Individual Price | £12.00 |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Children & Family Events, Wed 26 Feb, Children / Family, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
A lifetime of poetry collected in one volume, plus stories, anecdotes and lots of laughs as Roger McGough, one of the nation’s most revered poets, makes a very welcome return to Faversham to read from his triumphant new anthology. This event includes a 20-min interval.
| Event Date | Wed 26 Feb 8:00pm |
| Individual Price | £16.00 |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Wed 26 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
A 40-minute set from unmissable Scots spoken word performer Len Pennie. Followed by 10 poets battling it out with word play and top-notch performance to win the cash prize. With host Angela Dye. Not to be missed!
| Event Date | Fri 28 Feb 7:30pm |
| Individual Price | £10.00 |
| Location | The Old Brewery Store |
| Categories | 2025, Fri 28 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Much is made of the distinction between poems written for the page, and pieces that have performance at their heart. This event will feature a panel discussion looking at the similarities and differences between these two forms. This will be followed by a Q&A session and an extended Open Mic event, with readings from our panelists – Sarah Hehir, JP Seabright, Jake Nathan, and panel chair Barnaby Harsent.
| Event Date | Sat 1 Mar 12:30pm |
| Individual Price | £10.00 |
| Location | The Arden Theatre |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 01 Mar, Poetry / Spoken Word, Panel Discussion, Performance, Local Authors |
Former Poet Laureate for Scotland Jackie Kay reads from her new collection and shares stories from decades of involvement in political activism, from Reclaim the Streets to Gay Pride to Greenham Common to Black Lives Matter. Woven through the collection are poems reflecting on the loss of her parents and profound change, love and celebration. Jackie will be in conversation with poet Joelle Taylor.
| Event Date | Sat 1 Mar 3:00pm |
| Individual Price | £15.00 |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 01 Mar, Culture & Diversity, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word, Politics |
We are delighted to welcome Jamaican reggae poet, performer, activist and critic Linton Kwesi Johnson to perform a selection of his poetry and to talk about his latest book, Time Come, in conversation with author Jacqueline Crooks. One of the greatest writers and poets of our time, as well as a hugely respected activist, Linton's writerly output is prolific and profound, his career having begun in the 1970s when he first emerged as a revolutionary reggae poet.
| Event Date | Sat 1 Mar 7:00pm |
| Individual Price | £15.00 |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 01 Mar, Poetry / Spoken Word, Performance, Biography & Memoir, Art & Music, Culture & Diversity, Politics |
Faversham Literary Festival CIC